PTSD Treatment Problems at the U.S. Veterans Administration

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increasingly burdens the health of many people, as indicated by the growing numbers of U.S. military veterans’ claims. An increased awareness of PTSD as a health concern necessitates a careful exploration of treatments. A range of current PTSD treatments and the need to more selectively utilize treatments is addressed. Studies indicate that recent PTSD treatment breakthroughs may offer promise and can be more effectively utilized. Assertions from organizations such as the U.S. National Center for PTSD contradict the commonly cited contention that there is no “cure” for PTSD. A review of PTSD literature reveals that: (1) the U.S. Veterans Administration is dispensing drugs (some of which have harmful side effects) that are not approved for use in treating PTSD by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (2) not aggressively exploring the use of novel approaches to PTSD treatment, and (3) not adequately funding research into PTSD treatment relatively to the funding of disability payments. Because of these factors the U.S. government is not optimally serving the interests of veterans.